ID Wallet Done

Well, I got a couple of projects done from my list. I tend to do that- make an unattainable list, just so I can mark a few things off. For a while now I have had a problem finishing things. So I guess if writing an impossible to-do list gets me to do a few things, we can call it a success, right?

Anyways, I wanted to make an ID wallet. I used this tutorial, mostly. I didn't bind the inside like suggested.

I liked this ID wallet because:

1. The ID is inserted from the inside (zipper part).
2. There is a phone holder on the back.
3. It has a zipper.
4. There is a good amount of room.

Here's how it turned out:

Front, ID pocket

Back, phone pocket

Overall, I liked this tutorial. Now that I have one done, I have plans for a couple of changes. I would like to add card slots on the inside. If I add card slots, I will probably skip the flannel lining on the outside piece, otherwise it will be too bulky.

I'll post my version soon.

(I realize the sewing is not perfect.)

Potato Bread Fail #2, and What's for Dinner This Week

I tried bread machine potato bread again. I finally found my digital thermometer, so I made sure to bring the water and potatoes to temp. I also bought new yeast, just in case mine was old (who am I kidding, it was old). I measured everything according to the recipe, turned on the bread machine, and patiently waited. What happened? I got a very lovely bread bowl again! Actually, the first bread bowl looked more lovely- this last one was pretty dark. (I did not take a picture, because potato bread take 2 was a lot like potato bread take 1. I will try one more time, this next time I am going to use my bread machine to make the dough, and bake it in the oven. We'll see...

What's for dinner this week? (Some is the same as last week because we had leftovers a few times, and didn't get to the planned menu for the day.)

Sunday- grilled chicken, potatoes, and veggies
Monday- something from the pantry (tuna helper)
Tuesday- pork Steak on the grill
Wednesday- roast, potatoes, and veggies
Thursday- leftovers
Friday- chicken burritos
Saturday- something crock pot and grab-n-go; thinking sloppy joe's

Bread Machine Potato Bread Take 1

I came across a wonderful idea while reading one of my to-read blogs thefrugalgirl.com. Blogger Kristen does Food Waste Fridays, where she posts about the food wasted in her household during the week. She had potatoes that needed to be used up, so she made potato bread. This recipe was pinned! Well, her recipe is for real homemade bread, like kneading, rising, baking, the whole shot. I felt a little intimidated. So I headed to my new favorite recipe book- Pinterest- and searched for a bread machine potato bread recipe. Found this recipe from food.com, and got to work.

I boiled my potatoes. I saved the water. I mashed the potatoes. I threw everything in the bread machine. I pushed start. I looked at the clock, "Good the bread will be done right before the hubby gets home."

I was proud of myself, a little giddy actually. I tend to get that way when I master another awesomely frugal tactic. (That is something the hubs says he loves about me. I'm not sure if it is the frugality, the giddy excitement I get, or the comical combination. He loves it and we'll leave it at that.)

Are you excited? Bet you can't wait. Well, I am sad to say that I have not mastered potato bread.

What did I do wrong?  My research tells me that I may have used too much flour, the yeast may have been old, the water too hot, or even too cold. (Um, I never found the thermometer I was looking for.) I am not giving up. I will try to master potato bread.

Hubby tells me to look on the bright side, "At least you know how to make a bread bowl. It might be good with soup in it." Thanks honey.

Two Ingredient CHOCOLATE cupcakes

We just found out that one of our boys is severly allergic to eggs. This revelation brought forth a slight panic. You see, we are about two months away from their first birthday. What is a first birthday without cake smeared all over the face(s), tangled through the hair, mashed in fingers, and everywhere else possible?

I knew I saw a two-ingredient cake in linky land somewhere, where was it? I turned to trusty Pinterest and started searching, in less than 60 seconds I found the post I was looking for. Stephanie at ladywiththeredrocker.com made a delightfully yummy looking strawberry cake.

Well, I had a box of Devils Food Cake mix, and a can of Diet Coke. I'm gonna try this...

Here's how it went down:

I mixed the TWO ingredients.
Filled lined cupcake pans 2/3 full.
Baked at 325 for 18 minutes.
Cooled, then frosted using this frosting recipe.

The verdict: The cupcake was good, moist and fluffy. Next time I will bake one or two minutes less. The frosting was runny, and a little strong on the mint flavor. It also does not make very much, I had to double the recipe. Next time I want mint frosting I will make a buttercream frosting and add a little mint extract.

I do think the two-ingredient cakes may work for the boys' first birthday.

Let me know if you try this concoction or another variation, I'd love to hear about the other combinations.

Dinner Plans

The menu board has been working great! I have been properly utilizing it for almost a month now. I am happy to say we haven't wasted a ton of food, bought a bunch of take out, or even had to buy too many groceries. Now, sometimes we don't follow it perfectly, but it is working for us.

Here's our plans this week:

Sunday- Grillin; brats, corn, potatoes, etc. (this was supposed to be dinner Sat, but we had a banquet I forgot about.)

Monday- Stuffed Peppers Leftovers

Tuesday- Pork on the grill (getting moved to next week) Stuffed peppers

Wednesday- Homemade Pizza

Thursday- Beef Burgundy (crock pot)

Friday- Grilled Chicken

Saturday- Roast (crock pot)

Does The Laundry Ever End?

The boys LOVE laundry day!

Its Monday. I actually like Mondays. To me Mondays mean getting back to our routine. It may not seem (or look) like it, but I love routine. Don't get me wrong- we love our weekends around here, but Mondays mean things actually slow down somewhat. Instead of running from place to place and event to event I get to look forward to laundry, housework, cooking, and all the other daily to-dos that keep this family running.

Monday is laundry day. I try to do a load a day the rest of the week, but Monday is laundry all day. It is probably easier to just do a couple of loads a day, every day; but my family is not consistent at putting their laundry down the chute as soon as they take it off. Sure, I could pick up after all of them. But I don't.

I instituted the Monday morning laundry rule to help alleviate the Thursday morning "I don't have any jeans" drama. If they want clean clothes they need to put it in the laundry chute by Monday morning. If the dirty clothes do not get put down by Monday morning, they may not get washed until next week. This caused a little drama for the first week or too, until they realized I was serious. Now the laundry may not get put down the chute every week, but we also do not hear "I don't have any clean clothes!"

Today's list of six:

1. Laundry
2. Vacuum
3. Mop
4. Dining Room (I really want to see that table!)
5. Clear Bar
6. Package and freeze meat

Also: change air and water filters, and bake something with those ripening bananas

Off to work...

Repaying thoughtfulness

We try to live frugally. I can't say that we are on a budget, because we are not. It may happen someday, but not today. In the meantime, we save wherever and however we can.

One way we save is scouting previously loved baby stuff. We are not ashamed to take used clothes, equipment, and toys off of peoples hands (if we have a need for the item).

One friend gave us a ton; crib, two high chairs, pack'n'plays, double stroller, clothes, toys, and much more; refusing payment of any sort.

She has mentioned a couple of things she likes, and I know I can make them. I have been keeping a to-do list, so I can let her know how much our family appreciates her thoughtfulness. Well, a list means nothing unless you take action. She is leaving for vacation in less than two weeks, so I need to get crafting!

Here are my plans:

• A couple of flower hair accessories
• ID wallet
• Passport wallet
• Luggage ID
• Time permitting- Slouch hat

I will update with photos, and links as soon as (or if) I finish.

Time to get to work.